After two years, the Poetry Jam returned to the RHS Library on October 21, 2021. Guests were anxious and excited to watch fellow students and classmates perform their original poems and songs at the event. English teacher Star Hargis led the students and staff into an immersive and welcoming experience for the jam, inviting the performers to recite their poems. The atmosphere of the event was warm and welcoming. Librarian Jessie Kirkbride decorated the library with string lights, lanterns, and a platform stage for the performers. 

The crowd was warm and receptive for their classmates, cheering on the ones who were anxious for their performance. The crowd of students listened attentively to students who recited their original poems. 

Poems  performed at the jam ranged in a variety of genres. Some were original poems, written by the students themselves, that were reflective and had strong messages; others were lyrics from songs that ranged from “Frozen” to “High School Musical.” Other poems were from a variety of poets including Tupac, Edgar Allan Poe, Robert Frost, Maya Angelou, and Sarah Kay. 

Poetry Jam continued through all class periods. If time remained each hour, teachers followed the students with poems that they had found or had written themselves. The cafeteria staff was generous enough to bake cookies for the special event. 

The 2021 Poetry Jam was a very special occasion for all who attended, and everyone seemed to enjoy it. 

“It was really cool to see everyone’s different ideas of what poetry is because there was one about Batman and Joker, which I thought was really funny, and then there were a few about depression and self imagery. It was really interesting to see the difference between how others viewed poetry,” said sophomore Ethan Hohn.